FRANKFORT, Ky. - Durell “Butch” Hamm, an English teacher at Larry A. Ryle High School in Boone County, is the 2010 Kentucky Teacher of the Year.
Hamm, a 24-four year teaching veteran who has taught English and communication courses at the high school in Union for four years, was awarded the state's top honor on Friday at a ceremony at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet auditorium in Frankfort by Ashland Inc. and the Kentucky Department of Education.
Gov. Steve Beshear, First Lady Jane Beshear, Secretary of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet Helen Mountjoy, Commissioner of Education Terry Holliday and Ashland Chairman and CEO Jim O’Brien were on hand to make the presentation, according to a release issued by the Kentucky Department of Education.
Jan Vaughn Horn, a 5th-grade language arts teacher at Shearer Elementary School in Clark County, was named 2010 Elementary School Teacher of the Year, and Melissa Evans, a 7th-grade science teacher at Corbin Middle School in the Corbin Independent school district, was named 2010 Middle School Teacher of the Year.
The three joined 21 other teachers from across the state honored with 2010 Ashland Inc. Teacher Achievement Awards.
Hamm received $10,000 and a commemorative crystal-glass bowl. In addition, the Department of Education will provide a sabbatical or suitable alternative for Hamm, who also will represent the state in the 2010 National Teacher of the Year competition.
Horn and Evans each received $3,000 and a customized, art-glass vase from Ashland Inc.
The remaining 21 winners each received $500 cash awards. All 24 teachers received framed certificates and were further recognized at a luncheon following the ceremony.
